Chapter 65: Sage of Water, Tardal (2)

Kai was led into the mansion's study where warm afternoon sunlight came through an entire wall of glass. An elderly man with white hair, looking to be in his seventies, sat on a wooden chair as he read by a table. He was Tardal.

Even after the servant announced Kai’s arrival, he didn't rise from his seat.

The servant left immediately after introducing Kai but even then, Tardal’s wrinkled hands quietly continued to turn the pages. Kai waited in silence until he finished reading.

Finally, Tardal closed the book and raised his head. He removed the reading glasses from his nose and set them on the table, looking at Kai. His eyes were blank and aloof, revealing no hint of what he was thinking.

Kai bowed at a ninety-degree angle before Tardal could even speak. "Hello, my name is Kai."

The Sage of Water, Tardal Asus, was the former chancellor of the Kingdom of Rashion and was admired by numerous nobles and royals. He was a named NPC that was known only to a few; even Kai had only learned about him recently.

I never thought I'd meet him like this.

Many nobles and royalty respected him as a mentor so meeting someone like that was a significant opportunity for Kai.

Tardal silently stared at Kai before slowly saying, "You came by Arsen's recommendation?"

"Yes sir, that is correct."

"Impressive. That kid has a good eye for people, and he doesn't fall for shady dealings."

"I-is that so?"

Tardal treated Baron Arsen as if he were a child!

Kai finally realized what kind of person he was standing before, and gulped.

"The way you proved your skills is impressive. Quite excellent."

"If you give me the chance, I promise to show you more." Kai slightly bowed his head again.

If the opposing person was as easy going as Baron Arsen, Kai would have shown a modest level of humility since that would have been an effective way to earn affinity.

But with someone like Tardal, there's no point in downplaying my achievements.

Though he'd only seen him briefly, Kai quickly understood what kind of person Tardal was.

He's a person who values results above all else.

Even the fact that he only met adventurers who had proven their skills supported this. In terms of his mindset, he seemed more like an inflexible wizard than a sage.

Tardal then said in his characteristic monotone voice, "I heard you have something you want to ask."

"Oh, yes! I would like to know the identity of this item."

Kai took out the Essence of Darkness Fragment from his inventory and placed it on the desk.

Tardal nodded once in realization. "I see. You made the right choice in coming to me."

Indeed, he's the Sage of Water...!

Could he determine its identity just by looking at it?

While Kai waited quietly for an explanation, Tardal delivered shocking words, "But I can't just tell you what it is for free. Borrowing my wisdom doesn't come cheap."

"Pardon...?"

Kai blinked in confusement.

That was the only reason he had come all the way to Aquaria, and even achieved first place in the dungeon ranking.

"B-but..."

"But. That is the word I hate most."

Tardal's eyes suddenly flashed. His sharp gaze, unbelievable for a man in his seventies, pierced through Kai.

[Your opponent's Dignity is overwhelmingly high.]

[You are afflicted by Wither.]

[Magical defenses slightly resist the status condition.]

[All stats temporarily decreased by 25%.]

Th-this is ridiculous!

Kai felt a chill down his spine, as if he were a frog before a snake. How could such an effect really happen just from a difference in Dignity stats?

But now wasn't the time to think about that.

Tardal, his expression still indifferent, said slowly, "You proved your skills to stand before me, didn't you?"

"That means..."

It meant that he had to pay again for the answer to his question.

Should I use the Friendly Brother skill here?

He considered it for a moment but then shook his head. He decided it was best to save that card up his sleeve until the end.

"What do I need to do?"

"You’re quick on the uptake."

Rustle.

Tardal handed him a small piece of paper.

Kai's eyes lit up as he took it.

Ding!

[Accepted Tardal's Test quest.]

[Tardal's Test]

Difficulty: None

Retrieve the scale of a monster you have slain yourself within 30 days time.

Quest Reward: Receive Tardal’s answer to your question, acquire a related quest.

Failure Penalty: Affinity with Tardal greatly decreases.

What a brutal quest.

Tardal was showcasing his characteristically strict personality even now.

If Kai’s affinity with Tardal dropped significantly, it meant he would never be able to see him again.

It was a much larger failure penalty than he anticipated.

However, the most concerning part for Kai was the quest's content.

"Excuse me... sir. It doesn't specify what kind of scale I need to bring."

"Bring back the best you can get."

Tardal's answer was straightforward. His response indicated he intended to thoroughly evaluate Kai's abilities.

Kai's mind raced.

Among the monsters I can hunt at my level, which ones drop scales...

He thought of various monsters, but his expression grew darker.

Bringing scales from regular monsters would likely be pointless.

This quest was a test to gauge his level. Whatever it was, he had to bring a scale that surpassed Tardal's expectations. And there was also a thirty day time limit!

But Kai had only one course of action he could take. "I won't disappoint you."

"I’ll look forward to it."

After finishing his conversation with Tardal, Kai left the mansion.

Monsters below level 100 that drop scales.

To find that information, Kai headed not to the library but to the Information Guild.

***

In MID Online, the Information Guild was officially recognized as a guild after it paid substantial taxes to the continent's kingdoms and empires, but at its roots, it was an underground organization that belonged in the shadows.

The man currently assisting Kai seemed quite sketchy as well.

"You're looking for monsters that drop scales?"

"Yes."

"Wait here a moment."

When the man said

a moment

, he really meant it; Kai waited less than three minutes before he was back with information.

Thud!

It was only a moment, but he brought back an impressive amount of documents.

When Kai reached for the documents, the man pulled them toward himself. He rubbed his fingers togethers, the universal sign for "Pay me."

"Is it your first time here? We always take payment first."

"How much?"

"5 gold."

"Sounds good," Kai replied with a nod, his voice carrying the relaxed tone of someone well off.

Damn it, I should've asked for more.

The Information Guild's Rogue grumbled internally as he accepted the 5 gold. "Anything else you're curious about? I can give you a discount if you ask now."

"Not at the moment."

With the short response, Kai left the Information Guild shaking his head.

This place seems like they'd steal everything from you if you close your eyes.

He couldn't believe such a place could be an official institution.

In the outskirts of Aquaria, Kai sat on the edge of a rock by the beach and began to check the documents he had purchased.

"Wyrm Lizard, harpy, wyvern, blood snake..."

The documents contained the appearance, characteristics, level, and habitat of monsters that dropped scales.

They’re more efficient with their work than I thought.

Re-evaluating the Information Guild, Kai let out a light sigh.

The most challenging one I can catch around here is... the Steel Tortoise.

It had a shell made of steel on its back and tough scales covering its arms and neck. The creature was quite rare, but fortunately, the documents included a way to lure it.

I can’t believe I need to go fishing just to catch a tortoise.

It said that the steel tortoise enjoyed feeding on Blood Worms, which were level 2 monsters.

Kai stood up to buy a sturdy fishing rod and Blood Worms.

But the Steel Tortoise is a rare monster. I can't waste thirty days just hoping it shows up.

Kai decided on one week. If the Steel Tortoise didn't appear within that time, he would give up on it without hesitation.

That was the plan Kai had decided on.

***

"...Singles go to heaven, couples go to hell."

Kai, with a grumpy expression, walked along the beach carrying a fishing rod longer than his own height.

"Hehe, babe! Catch me if you can!"

"Haha, you're so fast, my love!"

"I love you, darling."

"Haha staaap!"

"Ughhh."

Just hearing those lines was enough to make Kai get goosebumps.

The source of these cringe phrases were from the couples on Aquaria's beach.

Naturally, seeing their romantic behavior made Kai jealous... no, furious.

"Why're they flirting and not playing the game! That's not what capsules are for!"

Moreover, they were doing these envious... no, embarrassing things in public, not in private!

I'll get my revenge by doing the same thing someday.

Swearing revenge, Kai left the beach and headed toward the outskirts of the shore.

After walking for thirty minutes, there were no more signs of players or even NPCs.

Aquaria's white, clean buildings became more rundown as he moved to the outer regions, until only shacks were in sight.

"Hmm. This seems like a good spot."

Feeling that it was a great spot, Kai sat on a rock that also felt just right and hooked a Blood Worm to his fishing rod.

"Now, lure in that Steel Tortoise."

He cast his fishing rod with all his might and focused his attention, but the dobber didn't even move.

Well, I guess the Steel Tortoise isn't a beggar who's been starving for three days.

Fishing was not about catching fish, but about catching time.

After a bit, he began feeling bored so he secured his rod and decided to organize his inventory.

"Let's throw this away... Wow, how long has this Slime Core been here?"

Cleaning his inventory while waiting for a bite was just as fun as cleaning during exam season.

"Huh?"

While in the middle of organizing, Kai grabbed a book.

"Oh, right..."

It was the fairy tale book he got as a reward from Deva after rescuing Rody's family!

He had promised himself he'd read it someday, but once he logged into the game, he always had too much to do and never had time to read the book.

But now I have some time... maybe I should nourish my mind a bit.

Kai dusted off the book and checked the title.

[The Home of the Mermaids]

"A fairy tale about mermaids, huh... how nostalgic."

Kai smiled, remembering reading

The Little Mermaid

when he was a child.

Reading a fairy tale at his age did seem a bit childish, but that didn’t matter.

Since I needed something to kill time, I'll just nurture my inner child.

The moment he opened the first page, an illustration caught his attention.